49ers re-sign ex-Patriots gem before free agency

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers have re-signed a former Patriots player they acquired to finish last season strong.

Jimmy Garoppolo? No, his deal is still to come.

Rather, the 49ers inked defensive end Cassius Marsh to a two-year deal before letting him test free agency next month.

Marsh, claimed off waivers from the Patriots on Nov. 22, played six games and produced a couple memorable strip-sacks. His first such fumble-forcing sack helped spark the 49ers comeback win at Chicago in Garoppolo’s debut, and Marsh’s second strip sack came in their season-ending rout of the Los Angeles Rams.

Garoppolo, meanwhile, is also expected to re-sign with the 49ers, and the NFL Network reported Saturday a deal could come this week with the signal caller who went 5-0 as the 49ers’ starter.

Marsh, 25, was a 2014 fourth-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks, who traded him before last season to the Patriots. He had 10 tackles and the two sacks in his 49ers audition.

General manager John Lynch, in a statement, praised Marsh’s “unique” skillset, energy and passion, adding: “Cassius is a great example of our desire to reward our players with contract extensions as we continue to build out our roster.”

Other pending free agents include running back Carlos Hyde, center Daniel Kilgore, safety Eric Reid, linebacker Brock Coyle, cornerback Dontae Johnson and defensive end Aaron Lynch, the latter of whom lost playing time to Marsh.